chapter 26

 Eleanor parked the car outside of school, cutting off the loud music that was playing. Parrie opened the passenger door getting out and stretching her arms.

"I can't believe you're all going up tomorrow," She wined turning to look at Eleanor and Emma who stepped out right after her.

"Why aren't you coming?" Emma questioned, pulling her cardigan close, trying to cover herself up from the chilly wind.

"Zayn's mum's birthday and they have this huge thing planed and I promised I'll go," She pouted.

"But College is more important, she'll understand won't she?" Eleanor asked, locking up the car and catching up to the two girls striding lazily towards the football field.

"She will but he won't, I don't feel like getting in a fight with him over this, as it is he is always at my throat for hanging out with you lot," She shrugged.

"Well, that's not fair… He shouldn't have a say in it.. I mean, at first Louis didn't like me hanging out with Harry, but he never said a word," Eleanor replied.

"We can all agree Zayn is not Louis, anyway I don't want to try out for that college anyway, so you'll have to fill me in on your findings when you get back," Perrie added.

"Well it won't be as fun without you," Eleanor bumped playfully into Perrie, making them both lose their balance, catching it right before they tip over.

"Rubbish, Jen will be there, that girl is plenty of fun," Perrie laughed out.

"Emma? What is so interesting with your phone?" Eleanor turned to Emma, noticing she wasn't listening or taking part in the conversation.

"Mm? Sorry, It's nothing really, It really is too bad you won't be joining," Emma turned to Perrie.

"Come on girlies!  Don't bring me down! Let's have fun today at this game yeah?" Perrie jumped up, linking both her arms with Eleanor's and Emma's as they giggle towards the growing crowd.

Harry's POV

I was changing into my uniform when Niall and Louis walked into the locker room, paint on their faces, and a smile from ear to ear.

"What happened to your faces?" I smirked at the green and black lines on their cheeks.

"Come on mate, you're next in line, so finish up and scoot out to get your game face on," Niall ordered me.

It was astonishing how friendly Niall and I have become this last week. It was as if life was going back to normal, like it used to be before juvie, minus Hope.

That was another thing, Hope. She was in everything I did, everywhere I went. She was haunting this town, shadowing my every move, waiting for justice to be made on her behalf.

Zayn and Liam walked pass us, sneering. Zayn was pissed off I was starting instead of him, kicking at the bench I was sitting on.

"Don't," Louis put a hand on my shoulder as I moved, stopping me from punching his face off.

I took a deep breath, pulling my hair back.

"Fuck… Where is that disgusting face paint?" I got up, pushing Zayn and Liam to the back of my memory, telling myself I will take out my aggravation by playing well tonight.

"Over there, the cheerleaders are doing the painting," Niall pointed. He and Louis walked over with me.

When I saw who was doing the painting I let out a low swear.

"Oi Styles! Come here, I'll do you," Linda winked skipping over to us.

"Oi yourself! Watch your mouth, he is dating my cousin," Niall scolded her.

"I meant his face Horan.. Don't be a dick," She replied sharply.

"So lady like," I scoffed.

Linda rolled her eyes, but still drew on my face using the team's colours.

"The girls are here," Louis pointed to the bleachers waving.

"And Dylan," Niall added.

"I said.. The girls," Louis winked, as we started towards them.

I noticed Emma's face is in her phone, not noticing us approaching. I creeped up to her, smacking a kiss on her cheek making her jump.

"Gosh! Harry," She giggled, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"You're getting paint all over her mate," Dylan called out, as Niall tapped on his back.

"What is so interesting in your phone?" I tried to get it out of Emma's hand to see for myself, but she tucked it into her cardigan pocket, before I had a chance.

"Nothing, where is your mum?" She changed the subject.

"Working, I told her I'll call to let her know the score," I told her.

We were called back to the locker room, so I kissed Emma one last time before running after Niall and Louis togather with the rest of the team before we go back out on the field.

Emma's POV

I keep getting messages about keeping away, but the number is blocked making it impossible to answer back or finding out who it is.

My friends chatter around me about the trip tomorrow, though I am not paying attention, too occupied with my phone, trying to figure out who it may be.

"Em, put that thing away! It is friends time now- and the boys just came out on to the field," Jennifer pulls me up to my feet. I put my phone away again, cheering and clapping my hands with the rest of the crowd.

"I hate that paint they have on their faces! Ahhw it's so hard to wipe off!" Perrie stamps her foot, trying to rub the green from her cheek.

"I don't let Lou touch me when he has that gunk on," Eleanor laughs at Perrie's attempts.

"Oh no, Emma you have some on too," Eleanor giggles as she points to the place colour rubbed on from Harry to me.

"It'll wash off in the shower," I say, learning from Perrie that there is no way to get that off, so why even try?

"Harry's starting," Dylan yells over the screaming crowd to get our attention back to the game.

"Yeah, I know.. Zayn is pissed," Perrie waves it off, not caring about who is playing.

"They hate each other," Jen raises her voice to be heard.

"I know, it's stupid actually, I mean, they are both good players and they aren't that much different.. I don't understand why they just can't put their egos aside and be friends," Perrie admits.

"Because, you just said it, they are much more alike than people think… they see in each other what they hate about themselves.. Those two will never be friends," Jennifer says bluntly.

I keep out of this conversation, only listening without adding my own take. There is still so much about Harry I don't know, and I don't know Zayn well enough to make assumptions, however, I do know he has a mean streak sometimes, and I remember the way Harry ran hot and cold with me in the beginning.. Maybe Jen is right, and they're not that different after all.

Harry's POV

My eyes were burning from sweat dripping from the tips of my hair. I swipe them away and continue running doing my best not to lose the ball in the process.

I noticed Liam was open, waving his hands at me to pass the ball along to him. I looked swiftly around to see where Niall and Louis were, though it wasn't possible to pass the ball to one of them. With a roll of my eyes I passed it to Liam, running around the other team's players, getting closer to the goalie, so Liam could pass the ball back to me.

He did and I kicked it into the net, the guard flying to the other side. The crowd boomed in cheers, and I was swept into the air by Louis and Niall who finally reached me.

It was half time and we were called back into the locker room. I looked up to where Emma was seated with our friends, noticing her dad and Niall's mum not far from them.

Once again Emma's head was bent down to her phone. I shook my head disappointed she isn't cheering like she promised. I noticed her then looking up and glancing sideways. Then, she leaves her spot making her way to the exit. What the hell Emma? I started making my way over to where she is, noting the worried look she is wearing on her face.

"Styles! Where do you think you're going?!? Into the changing room this instant!" The coach screamed at me. I looked at Emma once more with concern, and then glanced back to my friends. Dylan catched my eye and waved. I pointed towards Emma, and brought my hand up to the side of my face, making a phone sign. I ran back into the locker room fetching my phone and texting Dylan to follow her, making sure she's all right.

Emma's POV

The last Message I get us disturbing, asking me to meet and talk. I know better than meeting someone I don't know, but this has to stop. I have my phone with me, and my dad and Harry are close by, so I have nothing to worry about right?

I push my way through the crowd making it down and out of the field unnoticed.

When I get to the school building I look around making sure no one is watching. It is dark and I have a feeling I will find the door locked.

It's not.

I push it open, sliding in silently. I pace carefully, making sure not to make noise, too scared to be heard.

"Emma!"

I turn startled to see who it is, catching my chest when I see Dylan, shining his phone at me.

"Gosh!! Dylan! What are you doing here?" I exclaim looking back. The message said to come alone. Now that Dylan is here I will never find out who it's from, and what I should be watching out from, asking me to stay away.

"What am I doing here? What are you? The place is dark and empty! You shouldn't be here alone," He moves closer to me.

"I am here to meet someone- how did you know to find me here?" I question.

"Harry saw you leaving at half time, and asked me to follow you- who are you meeting??" He bends down his head to meet my eyes, and it's the first time I notice how tall he is. Not as tall as Harry, but tall enough for me to need and tilt my head to meet his eyes.

"Don't tell Harry, Dylan promise me!" I look up at him, begging him to keep my secret.

"Not to tell Harry what? Fuck it Emma!! Are you cheating on my best friend???" His eyes go wide, a disapproval look on his face.

"NO twit… I was going to meet the person who has been sending me messages, it might be the same one who left Harry the note, and Eleanor the diary," I hold out my phone for Dylan to see.

"Mother fucking sod!! You need to show this to Harry, He has to know about this! I can't believe you came out here by yourself to meet this person!" Dylan seems frantic at the thought I was keeping this from Harry, he was calmer when he thought I was cheating.

"I can't, not know.. Please Dyl, promise me you won't tell Harry!"

"What don't you want to tell me?"

Both Dylan and I turn to find Harry standing at the door.

Harry stood at the door his uniform full of mud, his hair wet and glistening with sweat, his face smeared with green and black paint and dirt, he was never as handsome as the way he looked standing there in front of Emma and Dylan. His eyes were black with anger as he walked over to them, hands on his sides clenched into fists.

"I knew something was up- since you came out of school today you were acting strange- what are you keeping from me Emma? Tell me!" He demanded of her.

"Is the game over?" Emma asked her eyes wide.

"No I asked Zayn to play instead of me when I noticed you two weren't back- what the fuck is going on with you Emma?" His voice was low but sharp.

"She has been getting messages from a blocked number all day, and she came here to meet with the person," Dylan told on her, the words tumbling out of his mouth, making Emma's jaw clench with frustration.

She wasn't ready to tell Harry, not yet, wanting to find out more before.

"Can you be anymore stupid?" Harry glared at her attempting to keep his cool.

While standing staring at each other with anger, the three of them missed the person slipping out of the front door quietly, a hood pulled up over his head, as he shut the door after him.